On 10 January 2023, Constantine II of Greece, Head of the Royal House of Greece, who reigned as the last King of the Hellenes from 6 March 1964 to 1 June 1973, died in Athens at the age of 82, having already been placed under intensive care after suffering a stroke in hospital. His death was initially announced by an Associated Press report, which referenced hospital staff, however Constantine's private office later released a formal death statement. The Greek government declined the royal family's request for a state funeral, although it was later decided that Constantine should have a lying-in-state and a funeral procession.
In the last few years of his life, Constantine had been experiencing "chronic heart" problems.[1] In September 2022, due to ill health, he was unable to travel to the United Kingdom to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, his third cousin, and the widow of his first cousin once removed, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.[2] His last public appearance occurred in Athens in October 2022 when he went to a restaurant for lunch with his wife, Queen Anne-Marie, and his two sisters, Queen Sofía of Spain and Princess Irene. Although he remained undisturbed during his meal, Spanish tourists later noticed Queen Sofía and a Greek civilian recognised the former king, who was being pushed in a wheelchair with nasal catheters that provided him with supplementary oxygen, prompting concerns for his health.[3] His heart and mobility issues had "worsened" in the twelve months prior to his death and resulted in multiple hospitalisations in 2022.[1] He also suffered through a severe case of COVID-19.[4]
Death
On 9 January 2023, it was revealed that Constantine had been hospitalised and was in a "serious, but stable" condition.[4] His family was said to be at his side, and his two sons, Crown Prince Pavlos and Prince Nikolaos, were meeting in the Maximos Mansion to discuss the events that would occur following his death.[5] Constantine's daughter-in-law, Princess Tatiana, was seen lighting a candle at church in prayer for his health.[5] He had been placed in the intensive care unit of the private Hygeia Hospital following a stroke, but died on 10 January 2023.[6][7] He was 82 years old.[5] Constantine died one day short of the centenary anniversary of the death of his grandfather, Constantine I.
His death was leaked publicly by an Associated Press report, which referenced hospital staff.[8] Constantine's private office later formally announced, "It is with deep sadness that the royal family announces that HM King Constantine, beloved husband, father, and brother, passed away yesterday."[9] Despite the abolition of the monarchy in 1973, Constantine never formally renounced his title as King of the Hellenes due to Greek Orthodox tradition, which holds that an anointed monarch retains their status until their death. However, he had accepted that he would be styled as the former King of the Hellenes by the media.[10] Upon his death, the International Olympic Committee and Hellenic Olympic Committee flew the flags at the Panathenaic Stadium and the flags at the Hellenic Olympic Committee offices at half-mast.[11] The flags at Amalienborg Palace were also lowered to half-mast.[12]
Following Constantine's death, it was announced a discussion would be held later that day at the Maximos Mansion to decide whether a state funeral is appropriate.[7] Following the discussion, it was decided that Constantine would not receive a state funeral, but would rather be buried as a private citizen.[5] It was also announced that his burial location would be at Tatoi Palace, where other past Greek royal family members have been buried.[5] The funeral location was decided to be the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens on Monday 16 January.[20]Lina Mendoni, the Minister of Culture and Sports, was also called to be the government's representative at the funeral. The government also declined requests for a lying-in-state for Constantine's body. Many "right-wing politicians" reportedly were upset with the decision for neither a state funeral nor a lying-in-state, something which was requested by his family.[21]
The prime minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, defended the government's decision by insisting that Constantine was only the leader of the "Kingdom of Greece, which no longer exists".[22] Despite this, a funeral procession was still planned to occur outside the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens.[20] On 12 January 2023, Queen Sofía of Spain, Princess Irene and Princess Nina, as well as Princess Theodora's fiancé, Matthew Kumar, were photographed visiting the royal cemetery at Tatoi Palace for preparations at the royal tombs ahead of Constantine's funeral.[23] Mitsotakis received backlash from many, including former Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras,[24] over his decision to deny Constantine a state funeral, and he later agreed to put the former king's body on display in an unofficial lying-in-state, while also giving him the "honours of a state leader".[25] Police also stated that they would "have a presence at vital points around the Metropolitan Cathedral and Tatoi, as well as the funeral procession's route and the locations where invited officials stay."[26]
Lying-in-state and ceremony
The funeral took place in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens
Royal guests began arriving in Greece on 15 January 2023 and most of them stayed at the Hotel Grande Bretagne, where paparazzi and crowds greeted them.[27][28] Constantine's body laid in the Agios Eleftherios Chapel from 6:00 am till 11:00 am (UTC+2), allowing members of the public to pay their respects. Thousands of mourners viewed his coffin.[29] By 8:00 pm (UTC+2), police estimates placed over 5,000 mourners to have visited Constantine's coffin.[30] Afterwards, a procession into the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens occurred. Τhe procession was headed by a crucifer, followed by two priests, including Archbishop Ieronymos II, then the coffin, which was draped in the current flag of Greece, and finally Constantine's three sons, with crowds watching from the side. Members of the public were chanting "Immortal" and "Constantine, you will never die" and held flowers, flags of the Kingdom of Greece and pictures of Constantine and Anne-Marie.[30][24] Some people were chanting, "Long live the king!"[31]
Anne-Marie of Greece at her late husband's funeral
Constantine's body was moved through the church's nave then placed in the centre of the chancel with wreaths, icons and medals surrounding it. Government officials were jeered and booed by the crowd upon their arrival at the ceremony.[32] The wreaths beside Constantine's coffin were made out of lily of the valleys, which were the same flowers that Anne-Marie's wedding bouquet was made out of. On the wreath was written in white letters on blue felt, "Your beloved Anne-Marie" (Greek: Η αγαπημένη σου Άννα-Μαρία, romanized: I agapiméni sou Ánna-María), which were revealed, through an attached card, to have been Anne-Marie's last words to Constantine.[33] His three sons decided on the various medals displayed on his coffin, which were the Commemorative Badge of the Centenary of the Royal House of Greece, the Medal of Military Merit, the Order of the Dannebrog, the Order of the Elephant, the Order of George I, the Order of the Golden Fleece, the Order of the Phoenix, the Order of the Redeemer, the Order of Saints George and Constantine and his 1960 Summer Olympic Games golden medal.[34]
The funeral ceremony commenced at 12:30 pm (UTC+2) and over 200 people were in attendance,[26] including nine monarchs, which prompted the deputy prime minister of Greece, Panagiotis Pikrammenos, to also represent government at the ceremony.[35] Prime Minister Mitsotakis also allowed members of Greek parliament to attend on their own accord.[25] Anne-Marie wore the same diamond cross from her wedding at the funeral ceremony.[33] Archbishop Ieronymos II presided over the ceremony, standing at the front of the church with almost twenty other priests.[36][37] To the right and left of him stood two Byzantine choirs and further right sat Constantine's descendants, wife and two sisters. Foreign monarchs, heads of states and other royal family members were seated further left of the Greek royal family. Behind the family were four Orthodox Bishops. Crown Prince Pavlos delivered Constantine's eulogy at the end of the service.[38] The recessional consisted of the same order as the procession, except with the whole Greek royal family followed by all guests at the end. Crowds sang the Greek national anthem as Constantine's coffin exited the cathedral. Over 1,000 police officers were in Athens on the day to secure the funeral.[36] The funeral was streamed on television and online by the Hellenic Broadcasting Corporation (ERT).[citation needed]
Burial
The hearse taking Constantine's coffin to Tatoi Palace
The burial was a private event at Tatoi Palace, the residence of the former Greek royal family. Much of the land surrounding Tatoi Palace was destroyed in the 2021 Greece wildfires and no clean-up effort was undertaken. Following the announcement that Constantine's memorial would take place there, clean-up crews arrived to have the site cleared in days. New trees were said to have been planted, burnt trees were removed, newly-pathed gravel pathways were installed and a nearby church was repaired by "frantic" workers.[39] Mendoni and the Deputy Minister of Environment, Giorgos Amyras, reviewed the site clean-up the day before the burial. Many photos of Tatoi and Greek royal family members were released by Greek outlet ProtoThema.[40]
Tomb of Constantine II in the Tatoi Royal Cemetery
After the funeral, with police escort and five supervising drones and two helicopters, Constantine's body was driven 29 kilometres to Tatoi Palace via Metropolitan Road, which was closed to the public from 6:00 am to 2:00 pm (UTC+2).[36][41] It took at least 40 vehicles to transport all 60 guests who attended the burial to Tatoi Palace.[42] The coffin was greeted by many people who were waiting at Tatoi Palace.[43] Although the burial committal ceremony at Agios Athanasios, the chapel at Tatoi Palace, was photographed, there were no press or photographers during the actual burial, as requested by his family. At the burial comittal ceremony, Constantine's coffin was covered in a wreath, his Olympic medal and the monarchical flag of Greece. The burial was said to have happened around 4:00 pm (UTC+2).[44] The burial's dignitaries attended a memorial dinner in the evening.[26]
Just under two weeks later, a severe storm caused minor damage to the outer edge of Constantine's coffin. Per Greek customary traditions, the coffin had yet to be sealed up as 40 days had yet to pass after his death.[45] On 18 February 2023, a service at the Metropolitan Cathedral to mark 40 days since Constantine's death was held at 11:00 am (UTC+2). It was officiated by Archbishop Ieronymos and was attended by Anne-Marie, her and Constantine's children, their grandchildren, Constantine's sisters, other members of the Greek royal family and over 250[46] members of the public.[47] At the front of the cathedral was a kolivo with letters spelling his name in Greek (Greek: ΚΩΝΣΤΑΝΤΊΝΟΣ Β', romanized: KONSTANTÍNOS II) on top. Afterwards, a lunch was held for the Greek royal family and close friends. A service to unveil Constantine's tomb with a Trisagion hymn occurred the following morning.[47]
Funeral dignitaries
Countries with royals and dignitaries who attended
Countries with non-reigning royals who attended
Immediate family
The Greek royal family following Constantine's funeral, looking at the crowd
Crown Prince Pavlos, Constantine's eldest son and heir, delivered his father's eulogy, highlighting certain parts of his life and said, "You will always live on in our thoughts and our hearts, as happens in every Greek family when it loses something precious."[42]
Prince Achileas-Andreas, Pavlos' son and Constantine's grandson, stated on Instagram 40 days on from Constantine's death, "Mr dearest Apapa, we all miss you so much. Sailing on into your new adventure. Love, Achileas".[68]
Crown Princess Marie-Chantal, Pavlos' wife and Constantine's daughter-in-law, also mourned on Instagram, "Yesterday marked the 40 days since you left us. You will always be in our hearts and never forgotten."[70]
Princess Tatiana, Prince Nikolaos' wife and Constantine's daughter-in-law, said on Instagram, "It's almost impossible to post a picture when you want to say so much and there are not enough words to describe what a wonderful man you were and how blessed and honoured I feel to be part of your tight-knit loving family." She stated that he taught her what "love of country means", as well as stating that it was "an honour to be your daughter-in-law" and that he is so "so missed and will be forever loved."[71]
Greece
The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, reacted to the former king's death in a statement. He said of his death, "His passing is, on a human level, the formal epilogue to a chapter that was closed and done with the 1974 referendum."[7] Mistotakis also gave Constantine's family his "sincere condolences".[7]
Foreign
Reigning royalty
Denmark – In a statement by the Danish royal family, it was said, "It is with great sadness that Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family have received the announcement that His Majesty King Constantine II of Greece passed away on Tuesday evening. The royal family's thoughts are currently with Her Majesty Queen Anne-Marie and the entire Greek family." It also said that flags would be flown at half mast at the Danish royal palace Amalienborg.[72]
Non-reigning royalty
Albania – In a statement on Twitter, Leka, Prince of Albania, said, "My sincere condolences to the Greek Royal Family for the passing of His Majesty King Constantine II. My prayers and thoughts are with His heir Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece and His esteemed family."[73]
Brazil – The Vassouras line of the House of Orléans-Braganza, who are one of the claimants to the Brazilian throne, commented, "The Brazilian Imperial Family and the Greek Royal Family have always maintained good relations, and their members meet at official ceremonies and family reunions. Therefore, Prince Dom Bertrand of Orleans and Bragança, Head of the Imperial House of Brazil, after being informed of the passing of King Constantine II, his distant cousin, sent on Wednesday, January 11, a message of condolence to his son and dynastic successor Prince Pavlos, Chief of the Royal House of Greece."[74]
France – Jean, Count of Paris, issued a statement, "My wife and I are saddened to learn of the death of His Majesty King Constantine II of Greece. He was a brave man who faced years spent away from his country. King Constantine had placed the Hellenic flag at the center of his life and his hopes and it was in these lands that he lived his last moments. I send my condolences to Her Majesty Queen Anne-Marie and their children and my most affectionate thoughts at this painful time."[75]
Iran – Reza Pahlavi issued, "The late King Constantine was a man of great integrity who served his people and his nation. From a young age, I was witness to the warmth His late Majesty and Queen Anne-Marie showed my parents and the affection they had for our nation. Our families always felt a special bond as the children of two of the world's greatest civilizations. In the years since the tragic change in our own country, I had the occasion to visit with the late King on many occasions and I will always remember our time together fondly. I offer my sincere condolences to Her Majesty Queen Anne-Marie, His Highness Crown Prince Pavlos, Her Majesty Queen Sofía of Spain, and the Greek people for their loss."[76]
Romania – A statement on the former Romanian royal family's website and social media read, "The Royal Family of Romania learned with much distress of the passing of His Majesty King Constantine II of the Hellenes. King Constantine was in all his life close to the Royal Family of Romania, to Queen-Mother Helen, his father's sister, as well as to King Michael and Queen Anne. Custodian of the Crown Margareta, as well as Princesses Elena, Irina, Sophie and Maria, have known their uncle since their early childhood. For more than seven decades, the two families always met in Greece, and then Switzerland, in Great Britain as well as in various European capitals, at public or private events. King Constantine was Her Majesty Margareta's Godfather and also Godfather at the Orthodox wedding of the Custodian of the Crown and Prince Radu, in Lausanne, in 1996. King Constantine, like alls his family, was always faithfully present at all the important events, be they happy or sad, of the Royal Family of Romania. May God rest him in peace!"[14]
Russia – Grand Duke George Mikhailovich of Russia issued, "Eternal memory to my Godfather His Majesty King Konstantinos II of the Hellenes. May Lord welcome your soul in His Kingdom."[17]
Serbia – A bigger statement on their website of the former Serbian royal family said, "HRH Crown Prince Alexander and the Royal family of Serbia send their condolences and deepest sympathy to HM Queen Anne-Marie, late King's sisters HM Queen Sophia of Spain, and HRH Princess Irene of Greece, his children HRH Crown Prince Pavlos, HRH Princess Alexia, HRH Prince Nikolaos, HRH Princess Theodora, and HRH Prince Philippos, and all the other members of the Royal family of Greece for their extremely sad loss. During these most difficult moments, the Royal Family of Serbia shares grief and pain for the passing of His Majesty and sends prayers to the Lord to remember the late King in His mercy. HM King Constantine II will be greatly missed, but the memory of him will be kept forever, with great love and respect."[77]
Others
In a statement on its website, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said, "In King Constantine we have lost a great friend of sport. He was a fellow Olympic Champion and, whenever we met, we shared our passion about sport and discussed our love of Olympism and the life of an athlete. He was always interested in the development of the Olympic Movement, and our conversations were very enriching. I will greatly miss these always friendly meetings. Our thoughts are with Queen Anne-Marie and with the entire family." The IOC also announced the Olympic flag would be flown at half-mast at Olympic House in Lausanne for three days as a "mark of respect".[78]
The Ecumenical Patriarch of ConstantinopleBartholomew I sent a condolence letter to Crown Prince Pavlos and spoke with him over the phone. He also performed a Trisagion prayer during a memorial service in Constantine's honour.[79]
John Koudounis of the National Hellenic Museum stated, "On behalf of the Koudounis family and the National Hellenic Museum, I wish to express my sincere condolences to my dear friend, Prince Nikolaos of Greece, the creator of Resilience, on the passing of his father, HM King Constantine II. Our sympathies are with HM Queen Anne-Marie, Prince Nikolaos, Princess Tatiana, Crown Prince Pavlos and Crown Princess Marie-Chantal and their families."[80][importance?]
Thanksgiving service
On 10 January 2024, the first anniversary of Constantine's death, a private memorial service was held in Tatoi and was attended by his immediate family.[81] On 27 February, a thanksgiving service at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, was held by the British royal family and attended by Constantine's family, members of foreign royal families and both former and present members of British parliament.[82] The Protestant service was officiated by Christopher Cocksworth, Dean of Windsor.[83] Greek Orthodox representation was also present at the service. Readings were conducted by all five of Constantine's children and Archbishop Nikitas Loulias, the Archbishop of Thyateira and Great Britain.[84] Constantine's eulogy was delivered by Nicholas Soames, which he described as a "great and humbling honour".[85] After the Lord's Prayer was read in English and in Greek, the British national anthem was sung to conclude the service.[86] Five of Constantine's grandchildren, King Charles III and Constantine's two British godchildren, Prince William and Lady Gabriella Kingston, were not present. William was due to give a reading at the ceremony, but pulled out shortly before the ceremony commenced for an undisclosed "personal matter".[87] Gabriella's husband had died two days prior to the service.[88] Charles, who was unable to attend due to his cancer treatment, was later spotted honouring Constantine by wearing a Greek tie.[89] The day following the thanksgiving service, a memorial service was held in the Saint Sophia Cathedral and officiated by Archbishop Nikitas. ANT1 reporters were present and interviewed both Crown Prince Pavlos and Prince Nikolaos.[90]
^Constantine II of Greece, Anne-Marie of Greece (2004). Constantine, A King's Story!. London, Athens. Archived from the original on 2 March 2023. Retrieved 2 March 2023.
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